Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Consisting of two equal, identical, or similar parts or things: Existing or occurring twice as much or in two parts.
   • Designed for two people: Intended to be used by two people.
   • Having a twofold character or nature: Involving two different aspects, roles, or meanings, sometimes deceptively.
   • (Of a flower) Having more than the usual number of petals: Describing flowers with many overlapping petals.

2. Adverb:

   • To twice the amount or degree: Two times as much.
   • Two together: In a pair or couple.
   • Bent over: Folded or bent into two parts.

3. Verb:

   • To make or become twice as much or as many: To multiply by two; to increase twofold.
   • To fold or bend something over on itself: To cause to fold.
   • To serve two purposes or functions: To perform two roles simultaneously.
   • (In baseball) To hit a double: To hit the ball allowing the batter to reach second base safely.
   • To repeat or duplicate an action: To perform again.

4. Noun:

   • A thing that is twice as large as usual or as another: A quantity that is two times another.
   • A person who looks exactly like another: A stand-in or substitute, especially for an actor in dangerous scenes.
   • A hit in baseball allowing the batter to reach second base: A two-base hit.
   • A game or bet involving twice the usual stakes: In card games, an increase in the wager by a factor of two.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • They booked a double room for their vacation.
  • His statement had a double meaning, which confused everyone.
  • She ordered a double espresso to stay awake.

• Adverb:

  • The recipe said to use double the amount of sugar.
  • He was bent double with laughter.

• Verb:

  • The company plans to double its production next year.
  • She doubles as the manager and the accountant.
  • The runner doubled over in pain after the race.

• Noun:

  • Ten is the double of five.
  • The actor's double performed all the dangerous stunts. He hit a double in the ninth inning.

Advanced Usage

• "on the double": Immediately or very quickly.

  • The sergeant ordered the troops to move on the double.

• "double or nothing": A bet where the loser either pays double the original stake or nothing at all.

  • He lost the first bet and then gambled double or nothing.

• "double down": To strengthen one's commitment to a strategy or course of action, especially in the face of risk.

  • Despite the criticism, the CEO decided to double down on the new marketing plan.

Variants and Related Words

• Doubly (adverb): To a double degree or in a double manner.

  • She was doubly sure to lock the door.

• Double-check (verb): To check something a second time for accuracy.

  • Always double-check your answers before submitting the test.

• Double-edged (adjective): Having two contrasting effects or interpretations; ambiguous.

  • Fame is a double-edged sword.

Synonyms

• Twofold: Twice as great or as many.
• Duplicate: Exactly like something else; a copy.
• Twin: Forming or being one of a pair.
• Dual: Consisting of two parts.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Double up:

  • To share something, especially a room or bed, with another person.

    • We had to double up in the hotel rooms due to the shortage.
  • To bend over, usually due to pain or laughter.

    • He doubled up after being hit in the stomach.

• Double back: To turn around and go back the way one came.

  • We missed the turn and had to double back.

Related Idioms

• See double: To see two images of a single object, often due to dizziness, illness, or excessive alcohol.

  • After the blow to his head, he started to see double.

• Lead a double life: To live two separate and often very different lives, typically keeping one secret.

  • The spy was leading a double life as a diplomat.

• Double take: A delayed reaction to something surprising, where one looks again.

  • I did a double take when I saw my teacher at the concert.

Adjective

1. having two meanings with intent to deceive
   • a sly double meaning
   • spoke with forked tongue
2. large enough for two
   • a double bed
   • a double room
3. used of homologous chromosomes associated in pairs in synapsis
4. used of flowers having more than the usual number of petals in crowded or overlapping arrangements
   • double chrysanthemums have many rows of petals and are usually spherical or hemispherical
5. twice as great or many
   • ate a double portion
   • the dose is doubled
   • a twofold increase
6. consisting of or involving two parts or components usually in pairs
   • an egg with a double yolk
   • a double (binary) star
   • double doors
   • dual controls for pilot and copilot
   • duple (or double) time consists of two (or a multiple of two) beats to a measure
7. having more than one decidedly dissimilar aspects or qualities; public preaching and private influence"- R.W.Emerson
   • a double (or dual) role for an actor
   • the office of a clergyman is twofold
   • every episode has its double and treble meaning-Frederick Harrison

Adverb

1. to double the degree
   • she was doubly rewarded
   • his eyes were double bright
2. two together
   • some people sleep better double
3. downward and forward
   • he was bent double with pain

Verb

1. make or do or perform again
   • He could never replicate his brilliant performance of the magic trick
2. bridge: make a demand for (a card or suit)
3. do double duty; serve two purposes or have two functions
   • She doubles as his wife and secretary
4. bend over or curl up, usually with laughter or pain
   • He doubled and vomited violently
5. hit a two-base hit
6. increase twofold
   • The population doubled within 50 years

Noun

1. raising the stakes in a card game by a factor of 2
   • I decided his double was a bluff
2. a quantity that is twice as great as another
   • 36 is the double of 18
3. someone who closely resembles a famous person (especially an actor)
   • he could be Gingrich's double
   • she's the very image of her mother
4. a stand-in for movie stars to perform dangerous stunts
   • his first job in Hollywood was as a double for Clark Gable
5. a base hit on which the batter stops safely at second base
   • he hit a double to deep centerfield